smartwatch

Apple Watch app Deadline tells its wearer when they'll die, suggests ways that they might extend their life. Like that episode of The IT Crowd, there are mathematically sound ways in which you can figure out how long you'll live. There are also ways to extend your expected lifespan, and this Apple Watch app knows those ways. As such, this particular app is very, very popular with new Apple Watch wearers. What better way to fully enjoy your new purchase than to find out when you're going to die?

Along with yesterday's news that the Apple Watch is soon to be available for purchase at Apple's retail stores — as opposed to display and try-ons only — it sounds like wrist bands for the Watch are also to become available this week. Apple has been limiting Watch and accessories purchases to the online store since launch as part of an effort to give customers the best experience and reduce long lines. Apple Stores are said to have recently received a memo stating that Watch bands are to be available in "limited" numbers.

Anatel, Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency, has just been reported to have finally approved the Apple Watch, both the Sport kind and the stainless steel model. This takes Apple's smartwatch one step closer to its promised 2015 date. But although that fact alone might be interesting enough to Apple fans, especially those in Brazil, the approval had one other, perhaps more interesting tidbit. It showed, for the first time, the mysterious demonstration bases found in Apple retail stores, revealing the secrets inside the interaction between the Apple Watch and the iPad embedded within.

Google takes aim with a feature update to Android Wear just one day after Apple releases their own software boost to Apple Watch. This update for Android Wear includes many of the features mentioned in Google's first teaser for their next boost - now coming to a number of watches this week. The main feature in this collection is a new Launcher - this allows you to access apps by swiping left from the watch face. Much easier to access than before.

It seems almost everyone around the world is wanting to get their hands on an Apple Watch. Or, at least enough that Apple is having difficulty keeping up with demand. But that may not be the case for much longer, according to comments from CEO Tim Cook. During his recent trip to China, he visited Apple's local headquarters to discuss how the launch of the Watch was going. The most promising thing was that he told a number of employees that the smartwatch will be available at Apple Stores around the world beginning in June.

Earlier today, certain Android Wear smartwatch owners began receiving updates for their wearable, bringing them up to Android Wear version 5.1.1. Most others still weren't seeing the update, but more voices were chiming in saying they, too, had gotten the update. This wasn't a fluke -- the update is indeed rolling out as of now, with some lucky LG G Watch and LG G Watch R users being on the receiving end. If you've using one of those wearables, take a look -- you might have the update, too.

Apple has pushed out its first Apple Watch update, a combination of performance improvements and bugfixes for early-adopters of the wearable. The firmware, Apple Watch OS 1.0.1, boosts Siri according to Apple's support notes for the download, while health and fitness tracking has also been improved. Meanwhile there's also broader language support, including Russian, Thai, and Danish.

Apple's first big software update to the Apple Watch is set to be released imminently. This update will include increased security, including a bit of software that'll notify a wearer if their iPhone or Apple Watch is too far away from the other. This feature already exists on Android Wear - and on a number of other devices through "tag" apps and hardware. Accidental leave-behinds will be a thing of the past, ideally. Additional widget-like features are coming to the Apple Watch as well, sooner than later.

You can understand why Android enthusiasts might be resentful of the Apple Watch. Android Wear has been around long enough for manufacturers like LG to release several generations of smartwatch, but listen to some and you’d be excused for thinking Cupertino had invented the segment. Into the fray wades the LG Watch Urbane, promising genteel luxury instead of geek chic, and first to offer the very latest version of Android Wear itself, complete with a number of hotly-anticipated updates. $349 is a lot to ask for an Android smartwatch, though: is the Urbane worth it?

With all the attention on Apple Watch customization focusing on wristbands, here's an accessory that many wouldn't see coming. WatchDots are stickers — okay, okay, "decals" — that let you change the color of the top of the Digital Crown and Contacts button on the side of the Watch. This lets users simulate a look only available on the gold Watch Edition, which features colors like red, navy, and white, or the stainless steel Watch models with black crowns.